Who Will Be the Next Columbus Blue Jackets Captain?

Apr 8, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Ryan Johansen (19) against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Nationwide Arena. The Jackets won 5-0. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Blue Ice is a “weekly” email discussion with all Union and Blue writers over the current hot button Columbus Blue Jackets news.

Since John Davidson made news on April 30th with the words, “We know who it’s going to be. We’ll name a captain by the start of next season and that’s a step forward. He’s popped, he’s a person that’s carried himself with outstanding leadership,” via a Q&A with John Davidson with Columbus Business First, the Columbus Blue Jackets‘ world has been a buzz. Management not only is going to finally name a captain for the Columbus Blue Jackets, the first since Rick Nash was traded back in 2012, but they know who it is! With a long list of potential suitors to rock the stitch-in C, we debate the merits for the 3 brave enough to enter.

Feb 26, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Nick Foligno (71) against the Montreal Canadiens at Nationwide Arena. The Canadiens 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Frank Walker: As management for the Columbus Blue Jackets have made abundantly clear, they know who the next captain is and they say that it’s an obvious choice. The person this describes to me is Nick Foligno. Before the 2014-2015 season Foligno was barely on the radar when it came to the discussion of who would be the future captain in Columbus. But during a season in which fans’ expectations were destroyed by the amount of injuries the Blue Jackets sustained, Nick Foligno was a consistent bright spot on the roster.

On the ice Foligno played all but three games this year for the CBJ and put up career highs in goals (31), assists (42) and plus/minus (+16). He showed versatility moving to different spots in the lineup and even took faceoffs for Artem Anisimov when he wasn’t healthy enough to be effective upon his return from injury.

Beyond his stellar play on the ice Foligno has become the face of the franchise for this community. During the All-Star game he captained the home squad and exemplified the Blue Jacket personality to the whole league. His experience, both as an eight year NHL veteran and in the community as an active part of multiple charities, show that he is a leader.

Foligno is signed with the Blue Jackets for the next five seasons. These are five seasons that may see the Blue Jackets develop from a team on the verge of the playoffs to a Stanley Cup contender. Foligno is the perfect captain to lead this team.

Chris McLafferty: While those are solid arguments (and might end up being the right choice) I can’t help but think there is someone else out there. Foligno has played 8 seasons on the NHL level, 3 with the Jackets. My feeling is if they saw Captain in him they would have done it by now. Yes this year was his breakout season but he’s had 7 prior where he only topped 40 points once.

Jan 24, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Team Foligno center Ryan Johansen (19) of the Columbus Blue Jackets changes into an Ohio State Buckeyes jersey in the 2015 NHL All Star Game skills competition at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports

The clear obvious choice to me is Ryan Johansen. Only 22, Johansen has already embraced the city, established himself as the face of the franchise and is clearly the consistent star of the team. You don’t stitch that C for a year, you stitch in the C for life. It’s the guy that’s going to lead your team for years and be the face of your franchise in the League and as your ambassador for the city.

“Johansen pulled Blue Jackets trainer Mike Vogt’s 7-year-old son, Cole, out of the stands to score a goal, to the delight of the crowd. In addition, the center endeared himself to Ohio State fans by pulling off his Blue Jackets sweater to reveal a No. 5 Ohio State football jersey — similar to one worn by injured star quarterback Braxton Miller — on his first shot.” (http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/12224006/ryan-johansen-hometown-columbus-blue-jackets-steals-show-wins-breakaway-challenge-nhl-all-star-skills-competition)

That’s a Captain. The team respects him, the organization loves him, he’s always been a Blue Jacket, HE IS just so Blue Jacket. Maybe even more important than that, they want Johansen to take the next step in his development. They want him to be the clear leader of this team and take ownership of the heights and falls of this team, much like the Penguins did with Sidney Crosby so early in his career (Crosby was named Captain after his 2nd full season, exactly where Johansen is now). More than just scoring and being greatly talented, the Captain sets the tone, keeps the team engaged and constantly leads by example with a strong work ethic. All things the Jackets organization want to see from their rising (already a) star to further their team in the Cup push.

They know the team rides and dies with Johansen and now it’s time for Johansen to take the next step towards that while bringing Columbus a Cup in the process. He stepped huge this season when it was easier to half-ass, knowing that injuries decimated the team, but he kept his head up, kept the team up and helped Columbus, the League and the World take notice that the Jackets are going to be coming in like a wrecking-ball to this new season. What more could you ask for from your captain?

Jason Funke: What more could I ask for in a captain? How about someone who doesn’t engage in a public squabble over their contract! Is Johansen an incredible offensive talent? Undoubtedly. Is he captain material? Not yet. He hasn’t even been made an alternative captain. Maybe the team can ease him into it — Crosby was at least made alternative captain a few months into his rookie year — but I don’t think he’s ready to jump into it next season.

Feb 19, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) and Columbus Blue Jackets center Brandon Dubinsky (17) fight during the second period at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

And Foligno? I just don’t see it. Sure, he was captain of the All Star team, but if we’re going to consider that line on his resume, then we should also keep in mind that his team was on the losing end of a game where the teams scored a combined 29 goals. I mean, who drafts Marc Andre-Fleury?? What does that say about his judgment?

In all seriousness, I agree that Foligno should be a part of the leadership team, but I don’t see him as captain. Sure, he was the most productive offensively this past year, but as Chris alluded to, this was one of just two good seasons he’s had in his career. I certainly hope it continues, but I don’t think the one good season equates to team captain.

That’s why I’m on Team Brandon Dubinsky. He’s a gritty, shutdown player that comes up big in key moments. Remember when Dubinsky fought Sidney Crosby in February and then scored a short-handed, game winning go al? That’s exactly what I’m talking about. And speaking of Crosby, Dubinsky was matched against Crosby in the 2014 playoffs series and held him goalless for the entire series. In that same series, Dubinsky was the one who tied Game 4 with 23 seconds left before someone — ok, it was Foligno — scored the game-winner in overtime for the Jackets’ first ever home playoff win. Like Foligno, he has five years left on his contract, and unlike Foligno, he has leadership experience as he’s been a regular alternate captain over the past few seasons.

Plus, how poetic would it be to finally turn the page on the Nash-era by naming a player who came in from the Nash-trade as team captain?

McLafferty: Dubey? We can’t give the captaincy to a guy with a nickname of an illegal drug. What message are we sending to the kids with this? First Boomer, now a captain named Dubey? Wait…no one else calls him Doobie? Well…forget I said anything.

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While I think it would be poetic to end the Nash era with a Nash return player, I think it would be more poetic to fully start over with Johansen reigning to take the team to levels they couldn’t go with Nash at the helm. And Dubinsky this offseason? He played 47 games! Clearly something this season “popped” to change the organization’s mind on naming a Captain after all these years. What “popped” about him this season…besides his abdominal? (Too soon?) What popped was Johansen’s maturity after an off-season that went south. It’s close to the same discussion as Foligno, he’s been in the league for 8 seasons, 3 with the Blue Jackets and out of the 3 players we’re discussing, he had the lowest total output. Yes if you want to get analytic about it, he posted a career best when it comes to points per game but…but..c’mon, Johansen had 26 goals and 71 points. Johansen showed more this season on the ice, during the All-Star Game and most importantly showed the organization and the team he’s grown enough to Captain this team to find the Dead Man’s Chest full of CUPS!!

Funke: Boomer was a gentleman and a scholar!

McLafferty: Having a walrus mustache doesn’t automatically qualify you for scholar status!

(In case you forgot who Boomer is, here is a summary of the Boomer Era…)

Walker: While both Johansen and Dubinsky are great players that contribute in significant ways to the future of this franchise I have to argue that neither one is set to become captain. For Johansen, part of the issue is that the guy is 22 years old. Age isn’t always a reason to not give someone the captaincy but the player has to show exceptional maturity for that and Johansen has not. He is not the guy the team rallies around. He is the most skilled scorer on the team but he is not captain material.

As far as Dubinsky goes, he is a great guy who brings a hard nosed work ethic to the Blue Jackets. Dubinsky is a scrapper though, the kind of player who takes some questionable penalties and riles the boys up. He isn’t a leader but he is the kind of guy who can light a fire under them from time to time.

Looking at the whole team Foligno is the player with the best mix of talent, experience, and leadership to be the captain for this franchise.

You: Who do you think should be the 1st Captain of the Blue Jackets in 3 years?

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